Proper Golf Putter Fitting - Why a Face-Balanced Adjustable Putter is Essential For Good Putting

Face Balanced Golf Putters Offer Maximum Flexibility For Custom Fitting

The ability to adjust the lie angle gives the golfer the opportunity for a perfect fit. The putter can be adjusted to fit the golfer rather than the golfer having to adjust to the putter. A lie angle adjustment feature will allow the golfer to make sure the putter head is soled properly (flat on the ground) at address while taking a correct posture. This is vitally important for putters with face loft. Recent laser laboratory studies have shown that even a four degree error in lie angle setting can cause a directional error of over 1.4 inches at a distance of ten feet.

Face balancing is essential for a proper straight back to straight through putting stroke. Using a rear mounted center shaft can give a face balanced putter design. If appropriate lie angle limit provisions are made, the putter can be a USGA conforming adjustable lie angle design which remains face balanced at any lie angle.

If a putter offers an adjustable lie angle, the golfer can now be fitted for the proper length putter. Thus achieving his desired position with eyes over the ball/target line. The golfer should set up to the ball with his arms hanging naturally straight. They should not be flexed or rigid. The basic putting stroke is accomplished with a one piece motion of the triangle formed by the hands and arms in gripping the putter.

Recently while conducting a putting clinic at a local country club I noticed three consistent violations of proper putter fitting essentials.

1) Incorrect Length

Some men and nearly all women golfers, beginners and experienced alike, were gripping down on their putters by 3 to 4 inches because they were using putters that were too long. The top sections of most putter grips have flat areas to assist with alignment and to help prevent over using the wrists. When the golfers gripped down 3 to 4 inches, their hands were down near the steel shaft. This kept them from getting the benefit of the flat portions of the grip. This problem could easily be solved by cutting the shaft down to the correct length and installing a new grip. This relatively inexpensive task can be quickly done by most pro shops or golf shops.

2) Incorrect Lie Angle Setup

Many of the golfers had either the toe or heel of their putter off of the ground at address or else they were standing with their eyes positioned well inside of the ball location in order to keep their putter heads flat on the ground at address. In most of these cases they were using putters with lie angles that were incorrect for their physical size and putting posture. Those golfers who addressed the ball with the putter heel or toe in the air were creating alignment and stroke errors, and increasing the chances of catching part of the putter on the ground in a way that would twist the putter head off line. Those golfers addressing their putts with their eyes considerably inside of the ball/target line were creating alignment difficulties. These areas can be quickly checked by getting a friend to observe their putting address position or using a "ball drop" drill. The golfer takes their normal putting posture holding a golf ball at the tip of their nose. Then they drop the ball and note where it landed relative to their feet/stance. Where the ball landed gives them the correct ball location at setup.

3) Incorrect Weight

Most golfers were using standard "off the rack" putters regardless of whether they were too heavy or too light for them. They were having to fit themselves to their putter. Proper weight setup for a putter is the key to good distance control and stroke consistency. Depending on relative hand/arm strength, green speed, playing conditions and even personal preference from day to day the ability for the golfer to adjust the weight of his putter is a key to putting success.

The importance of proper putter face balance,length, lie angle and weight in golf putter fitting can not be overstated. These areas are vital to helping the golfer become the best putter they can be.

John "Sandy" Reese is the founder of Golf Lab and the inventor of the REESO Putter. The REESO putter is the ultimate game improvement putter. It uses a patented rear mount shaft design to produce an "Auto Tracking" putting stroke. The open frame mallet head design frames the golf ball for ease of alignment. Its patent pending "Easy Fit" shaft mounting design allows the golfer to easily adjust the putter lie angle for a perfect fit. And, it maintains perfect face balance at any line angle from 10 degrees to 22 degrees. A soft feel and good distance control are achieved using a patent pending vertical groove face design. Dual weight ports allow the golfer to adjust putter weight over a wide range to accommodate various playing conditions and personal preferences. The REESO putter is available right or left handed in lengths from 29 inches to 54 inches. Conventional, Mid/Belly, Long/Broomstick, and Face-On/Side Saddle styles are offered. This USGA conforming design even permits use of interchangeable shaft/grip units. So, for example, a golfer can have a Conventional and a Belly style putter using the same putter head.

Golf Lab (REESO Putters) offers a color illustrated Free Report for putting improvement entitled "Stop Missing Short Putts". Filled with up to date putting improvement tips and drills, it is a must read. To receive your free copy that you can read online or print out go here Free Putting Report

You may also see a brief video and read about the features and benefits of the new REESO VTX Custom Face Balanced Putter here See The New REESO VTX Putter